UV mappingUV mapping in 3D graphics is a process for texture mapping a 3D model by projecting the model's surface coordinates onto a 2D image. The letters "U" and "V" denote the axes of the 2D texture because "X", "Y", and "Z" are already used to denote the axes of the 3D object in model space, while "W" (in addition to XYZ) is used in calculating quaternion rotations, a common operation in computer graphics.
Bump mappingBump mapping is a texture mapping technique in computer graphics for simulating bumps and wrinkles on the surface of an object. This is achieved by perturbing the surface normals of the object and using the perturbed normal during lighting calculations. The result is an apparently bumpy surface rather than a smooth surface, although the surface of the underlying object is not changed. Bump mapping was introduced by James Blinn in 1978.
Displacement mappingDisplacement mapping is an alternative computer graphics technique in contrast to bump, normal, and parallaxmapping, using a texture or height map to cause an effect where the actual geometric position of points over the textured surface are displaced, often along the localsurface normal, according to the value the texture function evaluates to at each point on the surface.
Rendering (computer graphics)Rendering is the process of generating an image from input data such as 3D models. The word "rendering" (in one of its senses) originally meant the task performed by an artist when depicting a real or imaginary thing (the finished artwork is also called a "rendering"). Today, to "render" commonly means to use a computer to generate an image from a precise specification, often created by an artist (or multiple artists) via interactive 3D modeling software.MipmapIn computer graphics, a mipmap (mip being an acronym of the Latin phrase multum in parvo, meaning "much in little") is a pre-calculated, optimized sequence of images, each of which has an image resolution which is a factor of two smaller than the previous. Their use is known as mipmapping. They are intended to increase rendering speed and reduce aliasing artifacts.
PixelIn digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element of a raster image. In a display device, dot matrix printer, or ASCII art a pixel is the smallest element whose output can generally be controlled independently. The concept of a picture element dates to the earliest days of electronic imaging.
Raster graphicsIn computer graphics and digital photography, a raster graphic, raster image, or simply raster is a digital image made up of a rectangular grid of tiny colored (usually square) so-called pixels. Unlike vector graphics which use mathematical formulas to describe shapes and lines, raster images store the exact color of each pixel, making them ideal for photographs and images with complex colors and details.
Edwin CatmullEdwin Earl Catmull (born March 31, 1945) is an American computer scientist and animator who is the co-founder of Pixar and was the president of Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has been recognized for his contributions to 3D computer graphics, including the 2019 ACM Turing Award. Early lifeEdwin Catmull was born on March 31, 1945, in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
PolygonIn geometry, a polygon () is a planefigure made up of line segments connected to form a closed polygonal chain. The segments of a closed polygonal chain are called its edges or sides. The points where two edges meet are the polygon's vertices or corners. An n-gon is a polygon with n sides; for example, a triangle is a 3-gon. A simple polygon is one which does not intersect itself.
Computer graphicsComputer graphics (CG) deals with generating images and art with the aid of computers. Computer graphics is a core technology in digital photography, film, video games, digital art, cell phone and computer displays, and many specialized applications. A great deal of specialized hardware and software has been developed, with the displays of most devices being driven by computer graphics hardware. It is a vast and recently developed area of computer science.
3D computer graphics3D computer graphics, sometimes called 3D computer-generated imagery (3D-CGI), refers to computer graphics that use a three-dimensional (3D) representation of geometric data (often Cartesian) stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering digital images, usually 2D images but sometimes 3D images. The resulting images may be stored for viewing later (possibly as an animation) or displayed in real time.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.